Rare Birds Given Special Lockdown Treatment

Five rare tuturuatu shore plovers were granted a lock down exemption this week. The birds were transported by Department of Conservation experts from Christchurch to Mana island Wellington.

The birds are part of a critical conversation program to establish a new population. Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage said that there were just 250 of these birds left in the world. These birds are critical part of the attempts to establish a population on the pest-free Mana island.

Department can complete essential work if it will help meet significant animal welfare. The work must be able to be done in a way that is safe for staff and meets requirements for minimal contact under Alert Level 4.